An Indianapolis Ukrainian-American’s Perspective and What You Can Do to Offer Support

Family is everything to Irina Brodskiy. For more than 20 years, her daily routine – no matter how busy she is with work and raising her children – includes multiple phone and video calls with her parents and brother who live in Ukraine. But as the crisis in Ukraine continues, the fear and worry she has for her beloved family’s well-being grows.
“My family continuously hears fires and missiles,” she said. “The city I grew up in – Kharkiv – is completely trashed.”
The once thriving downtown is now completely destroyed, she said.

Brodskiy was born and raised in Ukraine. When she was a teen, she traveled back and forth from Ukraine to the United States to pursue sports, a dream from her father as he says that’s part of “living the American dream.” She sought residency in Indianapolis in her teens, and attended college in the United States. She married and had two children here, even though her parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew stayed in Ukraine. 

Brodskiy says she feels helpless, and her feelings are also felt by so many in the Indianapolis Jewish community today. She, among others in her situation, have received tremendous support from the Indianapolis Jewish community. Their message? Donate dollars to help, share information and speak up to raise awareness and bring about change to end the crisis in Ukraine.

Since the crisis began, Federations across the country have supported Ukrainians under heavy fighting, on the borders in refugee camps, and in Israel where new olim (immigrants) have been welcomed home.

In February, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis launched a special campaign for Ukraine. Thanks to the generous matching funds challenge provided by the Glick Family and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, more than 300 Indianapolis donors rose to the occasion and donated more than $200,000 to send overseas for immediate relief efforts. 

100% of critical dollars donated have and will continue to go toward relief efforts through the Federation partners’ vital humanitarian efforts who are serving ALL Ukrainians, not only those who are Jewish. Those partnerships include The Jewish Agency for Israel, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), World ORT, United Hatzalah, and Hillel International.

As the crisis in Ukraine continues, so do the needs. The Federation’s partners need your support to continue their mission. Please consider giving today at https://bit.ly/JFGIukrainefund.